Changes this week.....

[the smith show]

Out (for some time along with Brown)- Harding and Watt
Out to find form - Swallow plus Campbell (to small for the midfield/Thomas is the #1 small forward)

In Lower (no matter his form), McMahon, Hanson and Ross/Urquhart

 

[viccles]

In: Hansen
Out: Watt

 

[rooboy_88]

Out (for some time along with Brown)- Harding and Watt
Out to find form - Swallow plus Campbell (to small for the midfield/Thomas is the #1 small forward)

In Lower (no matter his form), McMahon, Hanson and Ross/Urquhart

Were u at the game yesterday mate, That was prob campbells most consistent game for the club had 16 disposals got 4 tackles and a couple of goal assists front and centre.

 

[Kangalicious]

Drop Swallow for Lower
Harding for anyone
and probably Watt (how does he normally go against Richmond?)

 

[GoesBangFrom50]

Drop Swallow for Lower
Harding for anyone
and probably Watt (how does he normally go against Richmond?)

I don't really get the hatred for Harding??

Considering it was his first Senior game back after a year out I thought he played well. At least he had a go. When the game was done and dusted in the last quarter he was one of the only players who was still working hard and seemed to be at the same fitness levels as the Bomber players. To me it shows that he has worked hard and values his place in the team.

It seems pretty easy to follow the crowd and say Harding OUT.... in reality if the team was selected on yesterdays game Harding would keep his spot ahead of Wells.

Am I completely on my own here?

 

[Kangalicious]

I don't really get the hatred for Harding??

Considering it was his first Senior game back after a year out I thought he played well. At least he had a go. When the game was done and dusted in the last quarter he was one of the only players who was still working hard and seemed to be at the same fitness levels as the Bomber players. To me it shows that he has worked hard and values his place in the team.

It seems pretty easy to follow the crowd and say Harding OUT.... in reality if the team was selected on yesterdays game Harding would keep his spot ahead of Wells.

Am I completely on my own here?

It's not hatred - believe me, I'm one of Harding's defenders on this site. And I'm certainly not calling for him to be dropped because I hate him. But I think his contribution yesterday came well after the game was lost - he was MIA earlier. A week or so in the 2s for mine.

 

[fusion]

The effort was a shocker - it's not often that we see our side lose due to a lack of effort/intensity.

It's easy to take shots at any number of players, as well as the coach. Everyone was off their game. It may be better to write it off, and start the season again next week. No need for wholesale changes yet - but if we lose to Richmond then I think we can rethink whether we will be a finals side.

Last year McIntosh and Harvey were superb, and both should have been All Australian. We need two players in our midfield to reach this level again for us to make it to the top 4. I can't see that happening to be honest, and think we'll be 7th or 8th at best. A few injuries, some bad luck, and a drop off in any of the regular "bests" of Simpson, Grant and Harvey may see us heading to bottom 4 instead.

I am seriously worried about our midfield. We should take a look at Collingwood - how they have put new players in there, and taken the older guys out of the square. It's the same players in our top possession getters every week for the last few years.

 

[The Zebra]

I am seriously worried about our midfield. We should take a look at Collingwood - how they have put new players in there, and taken the older guys out of the square. It's the same players in our top possession getters every week for the last few years.

Yeah, Simmo and Boomer are still massively important - but Grant is the one.

There is some divided opinion on Grant and fwiw I think he started off shockingly (I reckon he had all of his 6 clangers with his first 6 possession) but then pulled it together and did some good things.

But I just can't figure out why we are still playing him in the midfield. He will be really dangerous as a permanent forward and we have three real options ready to step into that midfield role in Lower, Adams and McMahon.

Two of these guys won B&F's only playing half the season in the VFL. Lower did it in a prelim and Adams did it while basically acting as the senior player leading a terrible squad.

I can just feel that if Adams was given a full on midfield role, he would get 25 possesions in his first game. He is one of those players - has done it at every level and would do it again if given the shot.

He is also good forward, but Grant will be better forward and Adams will be just as good in the midfield.

 

[Get Up]

Changes id like to see:

In: Grima, Mcmahon, Sansbury, Hansen

Out: Power (too slow), Edwards (not smart enough, very inconsistant), Scott Thompson (poor decision maker, that will develop with more games under his belt.) Harding (no postion for him, must be used as a foward and foward only!)

I too heard Grima was best on ground this week. Mcmahon is a very smart footballler with great skills and a great kick, Sansbury will add some pace to our defensive with the absence of Sinclar, Hansen gives us another big body to plug holes in defensive. In that 3rd quarter Essendon scored an amazing 92% they went foward.

What will happen:

In: Mcmahon, Sansbury

Out: Thompson, Power

 

[Get Up]

Yeah, Simmo and Boomer are still massively important - but Grant is the one.

There is some divided opinion on Grant and fwiw I think he started off shockingly (I reckon he had all of his 6 clangers with his first 6 possession) but then pulled it together and did some good things.

But I just can't figure out why we are still playing him in the midfield. He will be really dangerous as a permanent forward and we have three real options ready to step into that midfield role in Lower, Adams and McMahon.

Two of these guys won B&F's only playing half the season in the VFL. Lower did it in a prelim and Adams did it while basically acting as the senior player leading a terrible squad.

I can just feel that if Adams was given a full on midfield role, he would get 25 possesions in his first game. He is one of those players - has done it at every level and would do it again if given the shot.

He is also good forward, but Grant will be better forward and Adams will be just as good in the midfield.

I 100% agree. Grant should be used as a half foward, pushing right into attack and constantly presenting himself. He is a great foward player. We have enough midfielders to cover him..harvey,simpson,harris,rawlings,wells,swallow

 

[giantroo]

Changes id like to see:

In: Grima, Mcmahon, Sansbury, Hansen

Out: Power (too slow), Edwards (not smart enough, very inconsistant), Scott Thompson (poor decision maker, that will develop with more games under his belt.) Harding (no postion for him, must be used as a foward and foward only!)

I too heard Grima was best on ground this week. Mcmahon is a very smart footballler with great skills and a great kick, Sansbury will add some pace to our defensive with the absence of Sinclar, Hansen gives us another big body to plug holes in defensive. In that 3rd quarter Essendon scored an amazing 92% they went foward.

What will happen:

In: Mcmahon, Sansbury

Out: Thompson, Power

Thommo aint going no where. No senior games= no experience.

 

[davefromjerra]

Can someone tell me what's going on with Matt Riggio. Is he injured?

 

[The Zebra]

Can someone tell me what's going on with Matt Riggio. Is he injured?

I don't think he is injured, he is just not ready.

We could use his skills in the midfield though. Urquhart and Riggio dominating in the VFL midfield next week would be a dream come true.

 

[GoNorth]

This is the injury report from 'Donald's Debrief' (The weekly email he sends out)...

Season - Nathan Grima (knee)
TBC – Robbie Tarrant (shoulder)
2 weeks – Jess Sinclair (thumb)
Test – Leigh Adams (heel)
Test – Corey Jones (concussion)

 

[Kangalicious]

This is the injury report from 'Donald's Debrief' (The weekly email he sends out)...

Season - Nathan Grima (knee)
TBC – Robbie Tarrant (shoulder)
2 weeks – Jess Sinclair (thumb)
Test – Leigh Adams (heel)
Test – Corey Jones (concussion)

Jesse Smith's not on that list?

 

[GoNorth]

Jesse Smith's not on that list?

No, he's not. I hope that's a good sign and not just an oversight.

BTW, these players were Donald's best...

Shannon GRANT

Adam SIMPSON

Nathan THOMPSON

 

[rooboy_88]

id be happy to see harding and power get another week, werent the worst on the ground.

i made me team for this week and had watt and swallow out for hansen and mcmahon.

 

[giantroo]

Jesse Smith's not on that list?

Hmm, weird. May just be getting form in the VFL now

 

[Kangalicious]

id be happy to see harding and power get another week, werent the worst on the ground.

i made me team for this week and had watt and swallow out for hansen and mcmahon.

Hansen was ordinary in the 2s last week I think . . . not sure bringing him back into a team low on confidence to face a pumped up Richmond would be the best development move we could make . . .

 

[giantroo]

No, he's not. I hope that's a good sign and not just an oversight.

BTW, these players were Donald's best...

Shannon GRANT

Adam SIMPSON

Nathan THOMPSON

How does he have simmo there is beyond me.

 

[Kangalicious]

How does he have simmo there is beyond me.

GR we don't disagree often but Simmo was the only NM player yesterday who gave and gave and gave all day. Yes he had some poor disposal at times - but he tackled and spoiled and chased more than half of the rest of the team put together. And I think the lack of support he was given by some of his teammates bordered on disgraceful.

 

[giantroo]

GR we don't disagree often but Simmo was the only NM player yesterday who gave and gave and gave all day. Yes he had some poor disposal at times - but he tackled and spoiled and chased more than half of the rest of the team put together. And I think the lack of support he was given by some of his teammates bordered on disgraceful.

Yeh that's my only reason right there. Just his disposal.

 

[Grossy Morrell]

My turn for a whinge......

It would do Swallow good to have a week or two in the Reserves. When he went to ground yesterday - he stayed down. Didn't see one second effort. He played in the seniors all of last year and may be taking his selection for granted.

MacMahon, Adams or Ross deserve a run in his place.

Simmo is too good. I think when he's gone his critics will realise how good he actually was.

Gibbo needs to be worked on the track this week.

Scott Thompson will be a gun...see a bit of Scarlett in him.

 

[Kangalicious]

Yeh that's my only reason right there. Just his disposal.

Simmo has the ball far more than many other players - not because he's some kind of glory boy ball hog, but because he bloody well goes in and gets it. Off the hands, off the boot, out of the pack, via a pass from a teammate. He never drops his head and rarely loses his opponent.

And yes, from time to time he's a terrible kick - but I reckon it's much less than you think - it's just that on the occasions he does kick poorly, there are whole bays of North supporters (who've ignored the previous half dozen magnificent gets) who nod knowingly and tut at the kicking.

 

[The Zebra]

Simmo has the ball far more than many other players - not because he's some kind of glory boy ball hog, but because he bloody well goes in and gets it. Off the hands, off the boot, out of the pack, via a pass from a teammate. He never drops his head and rarely loses his opponent.

And yes, from time to time he's a terrible kick - but I reckon it's much less than you think - it's just that on the occasions he does kick poorly, there are whole bays of North supporters (who've ignored the previous half dozen magnificent gets) who nod knowingly and tut at the kicking.

Perfectly summed up, can't see how anyone could disagree, but even if all 28,000 members read this and Simmo averaged 45 possessions for the rest of his career, things will not change.

our captain will go down as he most under appreciated player in our history if the outer and BigFooty are any indication.